Originally posted by wsnpr
1) What positive things the United States and/or Israel has ever done for the Palestinian people since 1948?
Uh? Considering the Palestinian track record against Israel the real question should be "Why should the US or Israel do anything positive for the Palestinians".
Let's look at some of the major Palestinian terrorist incidents and perhaps see if there is a reason for such incidents:
2) What events by the Israelis might have led to the first commercial hijackings of 68-69 (forgot the exact date-sorry)?
As far as I know, the first commercial hijackings was in 1970. Within the space of two hours on September 6, PFLP gangs hijacked a TWA jet, a Swissair jet, and made an unsuccessful attempt to seize control of an El Al airplane. About two hours later, another PFLP group hijacked a Pan Am jet and forced the crew to fly to Beirut airport, where the airplane landed almost out of fuel. The next day the airliner was flown to the Cairo airport, where it was blown up only seconds after the 176 passengers and crew had completed their three-minute forced evacuation.
Problem (for you) is that these hijackings were aimed at Jordan, not Israel. King Hussein viewed the hijackings as a direct threat to his authority in Jordan.
[Long and complicated story. The short version is this: The six days war radicalized the Palestinians, who had looked to the Arab countries to defeat first the Jewish community of Palestine before 1948, and after 1948 the State of Israel, so that they could regain their homeland. The PLO had no role in the six days War though. After the succession of Arab failures in conventional warfare against Israel, the Palestinians decided to adopt "guerrilla warfare" tactics as the most effective method of attacking Israel. In February 1969, Arafat became head of the PLO. He began reorganizing the PLO and began focusing on eh..unconventional warfare. By early 1970, at least seven hrm…unconventional organizations were identified in Jordan. One of the most important organizations was the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
At first by conviction and then by political necessity, Hussein sought accommodation with the Palestinians and provided training sites and assistance. In Jordan's internal politics, however, the main issue between 1967 and 1971 was the struggle between the government and the guerrilla organizations for political control of the country. Based in the refugee camps, the Palestinians virtually developed a state within a state, easily obtaining funds and arms from both the Arab states and Eastern Europe and openly ignoring Jordanian law.
Tension grew between the government and the Palestinians, and soon small clashes between Pals and Jordan army units occurred. Over time, more and more attacks were mounted by both sides and the country was slowly thrown into a civil war. At the same time Israel was negotiating peace with Jordan and Egypt (these negotiations would eventually lead to Egypt getting back the Sinai) The hijackings on September 6th was aimed at disrupting those peace talks. Hussein wanted peace with Israel, now the Palestinians inside his own country were openly defying him, and challenging his control over the nation.]
In response, on September 16 King Hussein reaffirmed martial law and gave his army orders to quell the Palestinians inside his country. Civil war broke out. Syria sent 200 tanks to help the Palestinians. Israel mobilized and prepared to enter the fray (to save the current government in Jordan) and the US sixth fleet moved into position. In light of this, the arab neighbors forced the parties to a peace.
3) What events previous by the Israelis might have led to the Munich Olympics terrorism of '72?
Actually if you knew a bit more about history, you would know what I'm about to tell you now. The Palestinian terrorist group that was responsible for the Munich attack was called "Black September". Black September refers to the civil war in Jordan in September 1970.
4) What events previous and during by the Israelis might have led to the suicide bombings of the '90's-on?
Beats me, you'll have to be more specific. Most of the 90ies saw liberal Israeli governments falling over themselves to appease the Palestinians. Do you mean early 90s or late 90s?
5) Why would many (not all) Palestinians dance in the streets upon seeing the WTC attacks?
Because they see the US as their enemy. This because the US is Israel's most faithful ally. And (being Palestinian/Arab) they see suicide attacks aimed at innocent civilians, women and children, as the best way to attack your enemy.
Please post something a little deeper than:
1) They just want to kill people for no reason.
2) They are just jealous of other's freedoms and religions.
3) They are bored.
4) No insults, labeling, or name calling please (it's just not an intelligent, mature thing to do).
Perhaps if we all look deep into the problems, to find the root cause of it all, we can then find viable solutions.
Yeah, and then we can mail those solutions to the Israelis and the Palestines. Perhaps this will convince them that they should not be fighting but instead try to live in peace?
BTW, I am pro-Israeli AND pro-Palestinian.
roadkill. You are pro Palestinian. At least have the guts to stand for it.
